Big Sur South

Day trip extraordinaire: Palos Verdes Peninsula. I had been to parts of it before, so I wasn’t expecting much besides a pretty drive, but it turned out to be a five-star experience for kids. We had to make a 5 pm airport run, so we left early and made a day trip of it. Palos Verdes is between LAX and Long Beach (sort of) and is known for its expensive ocean-view homes and large population of peacocks. But it also has a fabulous walking path that winds high above the ocean. You can pick it up near the Point Vicente Interpretive Center, which has a little marine-life museum and rest rooms. The path runs at least two miles and is no less than perfect for runners, kids, and just about anybody. The Point Vicente lighthouse is always in view; it was closed but Jack was fascinated by its siren calls.

After a picnic lunch of peanut butter sandwiches, we kept driving on Palos Verdes Blvd., which loops back to Pacific Coast Highway. I was looking for a real beach since we had brought sand toys, but the only one we passed seemed cordoned off. Instead we stopped at the Wayfarers Chapel, a gorgeous glass church designed by Lloyd Wright (Frank’s son). It overlooks the ocean and is surrounded by gardens, a fountain, and a shocking-green lawn. Jack was generally good all day (he even lowered his voice inside the church). It was a long day, but the change of scenery was energizing.

Gold Line to Olvera Street

 

One of the easiest things to do with a train-loving kid: take the subway to Union Station, walk over to Olvera Street, and have lunch at Philippe’s. There’s always something going on at the shady Olvera Street plaza, even on a Monday. The place was buzzing with tourists (their big buses parked nearby) and people waiting for some kind of radio-sponsored performance. We walked past the trinket sellers (but didn’t buy anything since it’s mostly overpriced junk), then headed to Philippe’s to share a French dip and lemonade (70 cents a glass). I think the last time I had a French dip was…the last time I went to Philippe’s. It’s that tasty. Jack gave the cole slaw a thumb’s up, too.

Before hopping on the train back to South Pasadena (where you can park for 4 hours for free), we checked out the Metrolink and Amtrak trains waiting to depart. It was like Christmas for Jack. He’s been so whiny and argumentative lately that I forgot what it’s like to have an angelic, obedient kid for more than 3 hours.

The Toy Playground

We discovered a great new playground today. It’s on the grounds of the Buena Vista Branch Library in Burbank. Its best assets are that it’s completely enclosed and it’s full of big plastic toys (trucks, buckets, shovels) donated by parents who are probably sick of tripping over them in their own yards. Besides the toys, there’s a toddler-friendly jungle gym, slides, etc., all surrounded by sand. Jack and his pals turned a toy truck upside down, pretended it was an oven, and proceeded to fill it with cake ingredients like “baking soda” and “chocolate”. The downsides: it’s on the small side (though in a way that makes it feel like you’re at a big birthday party where you don’t anyone well), and there is no shade in the sitting areas on the perimeter.

Another reason to come here: the library hosts a better-than-average preschool storybook time on Tuesdays. They run a bubblemaking machine for the kids before starting, then sing songs in between the storytelling to keep them engaged. For Jack, the best part is the short animated film they show at the end, which is followed by a crafts project. Maybe some day he’ll be excited by arts and crafts, but right now he’s showing my (low) level of talent and interest in that area!

The Great Race Place

 

Who knew? Santa Anita Racetrack, one-time home of Seabiscuit and still a popular racetrack, lets the public watch the horses warm up every morning from 7:30 to 9:30. There’s no charge, and you can even pick up a decent breakfast at Clockers’ Corner, a small stand surrounded by tables that overlook the track.

We got there around 8 (since Jack had been up since 6), picked up some French Toast, eggs, and coffee, and settled in for the show. Of course, my mechanical-minded son was more interested in the tractors smoothing the field than the horses, but it was fun all the same. The mountain setting really is stunning, and the pristine Art Deco building looks like its in as good a shape as it must have been during Lucky Baldwin’s time.